Joan Rivers dies at 81

We all hoped Joan Rivers would pull through after she suffered cardiac arrest during a medical procedure on her vocal cords but it was not meant to be. She was a brilliant comedian. She had to be to break through all the barriers faced by women comics back in the 60s. By succeeding she paved the way for other women comics, including myself, but no only that, she was an incredibly kind and supportive entertainer.

I appeared on Hollywood Squares with her in 1988 when I was just starting out and she sat with me during a break, was so nice to me, and even gave me advice about writing. Then in 1990, I was a guest on her daytime talk show and again, she was gracious and just as kind to me again. When she did stand up, everyone talked about it. “Did you hear what Joan Rivers said? Can you believe what Joan Rivers said?” She was fearless. She pushed the envelope and that’s when she was at her best. She was always outrageous and we loved her for it. All the brilliant comics who had us falling down laughing were outrageous, just like Joan.

I am so sad for missing all the great things she still had to say and sad for her family dealing with this unexpected tragedy. Joan may have been 81 but she was full of life and just as funny as ever. Even when contemplating her own death, Joan has managed to make us laugh again. Here are Joan’s final wishes:

“When I die (and yes, Melissa, that day will come; and yes, Melissa, everything’s in your name), I want my funeral to be a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action…. I want Craft Services, I want paparazzi and I want publicists making a scene!

I want it to be Hollywood all the way. I don’t want some rabbi rambling on; I want Meryl Streep crying, in five different accents. I don’t want a eulogy; I want Bobby Vinton to pick up my head and sing Mr. Lonely.

I want to look gorgeous, better dead than I do alive. I want to be buried in a Valentino gown and I want Harry Winston to make me a toe tag. And I want a wind machine so that even in the casket my hair is blowing just like Beyoncé’s.”

It broke my heart when I heard the news of her passing on the top of The Newshour. I could barely process it. Joan was so fit and so vital that she was indeed ageless. Seems I’ve wastched Joan for as long as I can remember, from way back in the 1960’s. She was a powerhouse of a woman. She cared about everyone. Netflix has “Joan Rivers; A Piece of Work” which is a documentary about her life made in 2010. I encourage everyone to watch and enjoy Joan behind the scenes as I did. I miss her terribly. She was a real star. Rest in peace Joan Rivers.

I was watching CNN last night and Anderson Cooper was showing bits and pieces of Joan’s documentary. Didn’t know she had one out there. Thank you for letting us know where to watch it. I will have to check it out…

Got the news from Facebook. I was actually on lunch at work and wanted to check notifications and my heart stopped when I saw she had passed. I had to look twice. First time I saw Joan was in the mid to late 80’s when she had her late night show and I’ve been a Joan fan ever since. I adored her for who she was. I found her to be very blunt and out spoken. She was a strong and powerful woman and a fearless one I might add. Some people loved her and some not so much, but she is a comedian and my guess is some people took her too serious and they couldn’t see her for who she truly was. Joan will truly be missed by many. She is a legend and won’t be forgotten…R.I.P. Joan Rivers…

Had to come back and let you know I just watched your video again and realized what made you the host you were in daytime talk and you were the best. Your Girls Night Out show was right there in daytime on TV/camera, but with no rules for men. Everybody was welcome. The reason I say that is what you said at the end of video. You have also said that with your daytime talk show. Btw, great video…

I am so glad I was able to catch Joan in Dallas about a year ago. She was absolutely hilarious. When I heard this news,I was so blown away. I think we all thought of her as ageless.
#RIPJoan You will be dearly missed. Thanks for the laughs.

I always loved her sense of humor. I was in tears on the way home from work today when I heard it on sirius xm. I used to do impersonation s of her. I always loved the “cleavage I’m sitting on it” after the national house of pancakes asked her to be their centerfold!!! She was awesome. Can we talk??? Oh! Grow up!!! I’m grateful she shared her crazy sense of humor with the world. I just saw her for the first time in my life less than a year ago at the sands casino in Bethlehem. We laughed so hard my stomach hurt. RIP Joan. Thank you again for all the laughs.